Power Fashion offers affordable clothing, footwear, and basics for families across South Africa. Stores sit in convenient locations. Prices suit tight budgets. Ranges cover school essentials, weekend outfits, and seasonal needs.
Losing a till slip happens. You buy an item, get home, and the receipt goes missing. The big question arrives at the counter. No receipt. Now what?
This guide explains the Power Fashion return policy in plain language, with a special focus on no-receipt returns. You will learn the usual rules, how store teams approach proof of purchase, what items qualify or do not qualify, and how the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) supports you when goods fail.
Understanding Power Fashion’s Return Policy
Standard return conditions
Most South African apparel retailers use similar baseline rules. Power Fashion follows that trend:
- Time frame. Standard window of 30 days from purchase.
- Condition. Items must be unworn and unwashed. Keep swing tags attached. Keep footwear clean with no sole wear. Keep accessories in original condition.
- Packaging. Keep packaging intact for hygiene-sensitive categories.
- Eligible items. Most clothing, footwear, and accessories qualify. Personalised items and final-sale lines sit outside normal returns.
- Process. Take the item to a Power Fashion store with your proof. Online purchases return in-store or via courier, depending on the order method. Staff provide the exact steps for courier returns.
Where the CPA fits
The CPA gives shoppers powerful protection for defective products. Sections 55 and 56 provide a six-month implied warranty. If a product fails under normal use within six months, you have the choice of repair, replacement, or refund after assessment. Retailers request proof of purchase to confirm the date, price, and item. That request sits within reasonable practice.
Change-of-mind returns work differently. The law does not force a refund for a wrong size or a colour preference. Stores choose to assist as a courtesy, usually through exchange or store credit. Store discretion plays a large role when no receipt exists.
Can You Return Items Without a Receipt?
What often succeeds without a receipt
Power Fashion aims for a hassle-free experience, and store teams show flexibility when circumstances make sense. Outcomes depend on condition, timelines, and stock. Without a printed slip, shoppers often secure one of the following:
- Exchange. A like-for-like swap or a size change where the item looks new, with tags attached, and stock exists.
- Merchandise credit. A voucher or store credit loaded to your profile for the current selling price. If the item price dropped, the credit reflects the lowest price in the recent pricing cycle.
- System lookup. Payment by card helps staff trace the transaction. A card swipe record or a bank statement with the exact date and amount supports a lookup. If a lookup succeeds, a refund to original tender becomes more realistic.
Store managers guard against abuse. Expect polite questions about the date, branch, and size or colour. Expect a once-off exception approach, especially when a pattern of no-receipt returns does not exist on your profile.
What does not succeed without a receipt
- Hygiene-sensitive items. Underwear, hosiery, swimwear, and earrings for pierced ears sit in a strict group. Stores refuse change-of-mind returns here, even with a slip, unless the product remains sealed and untouched. For opened packs or worn items, only a defect assessment within six months unlocks a remedy.
- Clearance or final-sale items. Change-of-mind returns rarely apply. Store teams direct shoppers to exchange or credit only if a branch policy allows an exception.
- Worn or washed items. Make-up marks, deodorant transfers, odour, loose threads from wear, or scuffed soles end the discussion for change-of-mind cases.
How stores verify purchases without a slip
- Payment method. Bring the bank card used for payment, along with a bank statement line item showing the merchant name, amount, and date.
- Digital proof. Provide any SMS or digital confirmation received at the till.
- Item identity. Present the original swing tags, price stickers, and packaging.
- Details. Share the purchase date and store location. Even partial details help staff filter their search.
Refunds, Exchanges, and Store Credit Explained
If you qualify for a return but lack proof
Here is the likely order of outcomes in a no-receipt situation:
- Exchange. Fastest path for size swaps or like-for-like items.
- Store credit. Common fallback when a refund is not possible. Credit reflects the current selling price unless policy states otherwise.
- Refund. Least likely without proof. If staff trace the transaction through a system lookup, a refund to original tender becomes possible, subject to manager approval.
For defective items within six months, the CPA applies. Staff review the product, record the fault, and follow the assessment route. If the defect is confirmed, you choose repair, replacement, or refund. Proof speeds up the process. If the paper slip went missing, a card record plus the exact date and amount supports the claim.
Worked example
You return a T-shirt purchased last week. Tags remain on. The shirt looks unworn. You misplaced the till slip. You present a bank statement entry that matches the date and amount.
- Expected outcome. A quick size exchange or store credit.
- Possible outcome. A refund to the original card if staff locate the exact transaction in the point-of-sale system.
- Unlikely outcome. A cash refund without any traceable proof.
Tips to Avoid Return Problems
Adopt these habits and you reduce stress at the counter:
- Request a digital or SMS receipt at checkout. Photograph any paper slip before leaving the till.
- Pay by card whenever possible. A card record supports a lookup if the slip goes missing.
- Keep tags attached until you confirm fit at home.
- Try shoes indoors on a clean surface to prevent sole wear.
- Keep underwear and hosiery sealed until you feel sure about the size.
- Inspect items before leaving the store. Check seams, zips, buttons, and embellishments.
- Ask a staff member for the branch’s return steps if you feel uncertain. Record the person’s name and the guidance given.
What the CPA Says About Lost Receipts
Quick rights summary
- Six-month implied warranty for defects. Products must be of good quality and fit for purpose. Within six months, you hold the choice of repair, replacement, or refund once a defect is confirmed.
- Change-of-mind. The CPA does not enforce refunds for size or style preferences. Stores choose exchange or credit at their discretion.
- Hygiene-sensitive categories. Opened underwear and similar items fall under strict hygiene rules. Return requests without a defect assessment end in refusal.
Lost receipt specifics
The CPA expects reasonable proof of purchase for refunds. A lost receipt does not end your options, but you need to show a clear link between you and the transaction. A bank statement line item, card details, and precise timing support this link.
When a product is defective within six months, escalate politely to a manager if the counter discussion stalls. Share the defect, the use pattern, and your requested remedy. Ask for notes on the system and request a timeline for the assessment. Keep your own notes with names and dates.
If a dispute persists after you follow store steps, request assistance from the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud. The ombud service provides information, receives complaints, and engages retailers under the consumer goods code. Keep proof and photos ready before you submit a case.
Read more: Power Fashion Lay-By Policy Explained (Updated October 2025)
Frequently Asked Questions
1) Can I return an item bought with split payment methods (cash plus card) if I lost the slip?
Yes, but it is harder to verify. Bring the card used and a bank statement for the card portion. Explain the cash portion at the counter. Expect an exchange or store credit rather than a refund unless the branch can fully match the transaction.
2) Can I exchange for a different style or colour if my exact item is out of stock?
Usually, yes at the branch’s discretion. The store may process it as a like-for-like exchange to the same value, or offer store credit if the replacement costs less. If the new item costs more, you will likely pay the difference.
3) Will the store accept multiple items in one no-receipt return?
Often limited. Managers may handle one or two items, but larger quantities increase fraud risk. Be ready for a stricter inspection or a request for stronger proof.
4) What if the price dropped after I bought the item? Will my refund or credit be reduced?
Without a receipt, stores commonly value the item at the current lowest price. With a receipt and within the normal window, you are more likely to receive your original price back to the original tender.
5) Can I return items bought on lay-by if I lost the lay-by slip?
Yes, if you can provide your lay-by account details and ID. The branch needs the account reference to trace dates and payments. Expect exchange or store credit if the item is in perfect condition; refunds depend on the store’s verification and policy.
6) Do I need to bring my ID for a no-receipt return or exchange?
Not always, but some branches request ID for verification, fraud prevention, or when issuing store credit. Carry your ID to avoid delays.
7) Can a minor (under 18) make a return without a parent present?
It depends on the branch. For simple size exchanges, many stores will assist. For refunds or credits, staff may ask for an adult or an ID to complete verification.
8) What happens if a button is missing or there’s a small defect I noticed at home, but I can’t prove I bought it there?
If the defect is genuine and within six months, staff can assess it under the CPA. Bring any alternative proof you have and ask for an assessment. If they confirm a manufacturing defect, repair, replacement, or refund is possible. Lack of proof slows the process, so arrive with your card details and a bank statement entry if you have one.
9) Can I return an online order in-store if I lost the delivery slip and only have the parcel label?
Often yes, if you can show your order number or payment proof. The parcel label helps but may not be enough on its own. Save emails or screenshots from your online order history to speed up the lookup.
10) Are holiday or back-to-school grace periods longer than 30 days for exchanges without receipts?
Some branches offer short seasonal leniency, but this is not guaranteed. Phone ahead during peak seasons. Note the staff member’s name and the guidance given, then take the item in perfect condition with any proof you can gather.
Also check: What Happens When Your Layby Expires: Full Details
Power Fashion offers affordability and practical ranges for South African families. Returns work best when shoppers plan ahead. Keep slips safe, ask for a digital proof at checkout, and leave tags on until you confirm fit at home.
For change-of-mind returns without a receipt, expect an exchange or store credit, subject to item condition and timelines. For defective goods within six months, rely on your CPA rights. Provide proof, accept an assessment, and choose repair, replacement, or refund once staff confirm a fault.
Even without a receipt, Power Fashion often finds a workable outcome when shoppers arrive prepared. Take the item in new condition, bring alternative proof, share the purchase details, and ask respectfully for an exchange or a voucher if a refund is not possible.
